OTTAWA: Small business owners are abandoning Canada Post for more expensive private courier services this holiday season, citing a significant loss of trust among both consumers and commercial enterprises.
Shop owners claim that even after reaching a contract agreement and ending the recent strike, Canada Post has failed to provide guarantees that packages will arrive on time. This diminished consumer confidence has led to a noticeable drop in deliveries across Canada, according to business owners.
Concerns are mounting among small businesses nationwide, with many viewing Canada Post as an unreliable delivery partner. Several businesses have already decided to permanently move away from the service. Dan Kelly, President of the CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business), announced that 13% of businesses surveyed indicated they would not return to Canada Post following the 2024 strike.
This crisis has translated into severe financial consequences for the crown corporation. Canada Post reported a record third-quarter loss of $540 million this year. Kelly suggested that the organization has a pathway to future profitability by reducing costs, scaling back traditional mail delivery, and strategically increasing its focus on package delivery services.
